JOLINA dela Cruz had a triumphant PVL return, as Farm Fresh rolled past Nxled in straight sets, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The former F2 Logistics spiker fired 20 points on 18 attacks and two aces in her first game back after over a year recovering from an ACL injury.
The Foxies evened their record to 3-3, forcing a three-way logjam for sixth place with Akari and Choco Mucho.
Lorene Toring also made her pro debut after her own year-long recovery from ACL injury, pitching in three markers.
The Chameleons, meanwhile, dropped to 0-6 and extended their six-month losing streak to 13 games.
The returning EJ Laure had her Nxled debut spoiled after months of dealing with recurring shoulder problems. She had eight points off the bench in the loss.
‘Pressure is a privilege’
It wasn’t the win alone that made dela Cruz and Toring’s Farm Fresh debuts special.
Getting a feel of the game again and soaking in the lively atmosphere of a PVL crowd meant everything for the once-ailing pair.
“Masaya and nakaka-miss talagang maramdaman ulit yung pressure,” said dela Cruz.
"Privilege siya, kaya thank you rin kay coach (Benson) Bocboc na binigyan niya kami ni Lorene ng opportunity na makapaglaro ulit at makasama sa starters."
Toring added, “Medyo kinakabahan kami kanina, pero nu’ng paunti-unti na naming nakukuha ‘yung groove, medyo tumataas na ‘yung confidence namin at nagkaka-connection na kami with the setters and teammates.”
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